As discussed in my last post, The Mirror, horses are highly sensitive to body language and energy and can reflect a person’s emotional state. In my own experience I find it interesting how different each horse can be.

My Arabian horse was my therapist. She went through everything with me. Grief, joy, loss and happiness. She always took care of me. She knew when I was in a state to ride or not to ride. It was like she knew my soul. She really didn’t have interest in anyone else around. If they had a treat, she’d take it and then want them to move along. The people she did like, were people I grew to trust and I liked being around. When I lost her in 2018, my world collapsed and I lost a part of me I still feel gone today. She really taught me to trust and how I could deeply love another soul.

My Azteca horse is different. When my Arabian passed away, for months I would cry every time I came out to the pasture. One night, months after losing my Arabian, my Azteca snapped me out of my behavior. She bit me. Then took off into the dark. She has always been expressive but not usually a biter. I went to find her and she just looked at me as if to say, “ I am still here”. I calmly told her I’d do better and from that moment on I’d cry in my truck but not when I was with her.

As I said my Azteca has always been expressive. You better have your energy in check before working with her. She is not a mean horse by any stretch of the imagination, but she will let you know something is off with you or with her. I’ve really learned to listen to her, while I pay attention to everything around me. With her I learned. if she doesn’t like someone or a situation, I believe her.

My Mustang came into my life a few years ago. She is goofy and really loving and patient with everyone. I feel (and have had signs) my Arabian sent her into my life. She displays some of the characteristics my Arabian did. Sweet and calm. Everyone who sees or meets her loves her. She has helped me learn to stop and take in the moment, if only to take a few breaths. It’s like she tells me, “no need to rush. Let’s have a snack and just hang out.”

All my horses have helped calm me and work on my worrying and depression that may come. They’ve also helped with my feeling awkward and social anxiety. I still have those moments but when I go out with my horses I feel so much better.